This PCB Kit Translates Binary and Base-10 Numbers
Improve your SMD soldering and practice your binary skills at the same time!
If you’re reading this, you probably have some passing knowledge of binary numbers. Or perhaps you’re good enough to recognize and/or calculate a few digits. This concept, however, doesn’t come naturally to most of us and takes practice to become fluent. So you can probably relate to Jim Heaney, whose struggle with binary numbers, as well as surface-mount soldering led him to create the Binary Decoder Soldering Kit.
As he puts it, “This kit will guide you through techniques to identify and solder all kinds of SMD components, including microcontrollers, LEDs, resistors, capacitors, and fuses. Along the way, you'll learn tips and tricks on how to incorporate SMD components into your own DIY projects.”
Once the soldering is done, you can input base-10 numbers via control buttons and a seven-segment display, and it will light up the correct bit LEDs to show the binary equivalent. Alternatively, a row of binary buttons allows you to input the bits themselves, and the device then produces the base-10 equivalent. The system's ATtiny1616 microcontroller conveniently comes pre-flasehed with code to run this device, but it can be reprogrammed if you so desire using its UPDI programming port.
The system looks like an excellent learning tool, and is estimated for June 2021 delivery at a pledge level of $15. There’s also a class set of 10 for $125, which seems like an ideal gadget to distribute in order to help students grasp this concept!